LONDON -- The Football Association (FA)
will talk to Luton Town manager Mike Newell next week about his bungs allegations, English soccer's governing body said on
Thursday.

British newspapers reported on Thursday that Newell said he
had been offered bungs, or under-the-table financial
inducements, while negotiating transfer deals.

"We have contacted Mike this morning and will meet with him
early next week. If he provides us with evidence we will
investigate fully," FA chief executive Brian Barwick said.

"These are very serious claims that Mike Newell has made,"
Barwick told the FA website.

Newell was quoted as saying: "Have I been offered the chance
to take money? Yes, of course I have and I wouldn't even
entertain the idea ... Never.

"What you'll find is, a lot of people involved with the
agents and doing the deals are getting backhanders," he said.

"What I suspect is that people in high places are also
involved with the agents."

Barwick added: "We welcome the fact that he has said that he
is willing to provide names and details of people who have
breached the rules.

"The FA takes this issue very seriously. If people have
evidence we would expect them to come forward and provide it to
our Compliance Department, who thoroughly investigate evidence
of wrong-doing."

The FA website said the body had brought in new regulations
from January 1 governing the activities of agents, to improve
transparency, address conflicts of interest and increase
protection for young players.